TOMS RIVER - As residents tackle tax season paperwork and spring cleaning, Ocean County is offering a secure and convenient way to dispose of sensitive personal documents through its free Residential Document Shredding Program, now entering its 16th year.
The program begins March 27 in Lakewood and includes 11 additional shredding events scheduled throughout the spring and fall at locations across Ocean County, making it easy for residents to protect their personal information while responsibly clearing out old files. Residents can find the full schedule and details about the program can be found on the Ocean County Department of Solid Waste's website,
www.co.ocean.nj.us/recycle.
"This program has become a trusted resource for Ocean County residents," said Director of the Ocean County Board of Commissioners Frank Sadeghi, liaison to the Ocean County Department of Solid Waste Management. "For 16 years, residents have relied on these shredding events to safely dispose of confidential paperwork and reduce the risk of identity theft. The demand continues to grow, and we hear from residents throughout the year asking when the program will return."
In 2025 alone, more than 94 tons of documents were securely shredded through the program.
Residents are encouraged to bring household documents containing sensitive information, such as bank account numbers or Social Security numbers, that should not be placed in the trash. Each vehicle is limited to four boxes or clear bags, with a maximum total weight of 100 pounds.
Commercial documents are not accepted. Newspapers, magazines, books, junk mail, greeting cards, photos, x-rays, CDs, and already-shredded paper will not be accepted. Paper clips and staples may remain attached to documents.
"The Board of Commissioners is proud to continue offering this free service," Sadeghi said. "In addition to the environmental benefits, these events provide peace of mind by helping residents protect themselves from scams and identity theft."
No registration is required. For safety reasons, residents must remain in their vehicles while documents are unloaded by staff. Materials should be stored in the trunk, cargo area, or truck bed for easy access.
Residents who shred documents at home may also dispose of shredded paper at drop-off bins located at the Northern Ocean County Recycling Center in Lakewood and the Southern Ocean County Recycling Center in Stafford Township. Both centers are open Monday through Saturday, from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Shredded paper should not be placed in curbside recycling bins, as it cannot be sorted with other recyclables.
Click here to see the full schedule.
